Fathers and Sons Review by Ken Dryden
Dr. George Butler, like any major-label producer, was always on the lookout for a gimmick to market a recording, so the idea of having a record side each devoted to bands featuring fathers with their sons had some obvious appeal. Side one of this early-'80s Columbia LP features pianist Ellis Marsalis with sons Branford and Wynton playing four of the leader's originals plus one standard. Bassist Charles Fambrough and drummer James Black round out the quintet. While it is apparent that the family has played together, the originals aren't really all that interesting, even though some of the solos are. The sons sit out the senior Marsalis' trio interpretation of "Lush Life," which ends up being the highlight of this session. The second side of the disc features tenor saxophonist Von Freeman, with his son Chico joining him on tenor as well, backed by a strong rhythm section including Kenny Barron, Cecil McBee, and Jack DeJohnette. The younger reed player acquits himself well with the older musicians, especially in his original "Tribute to Our Fathers," in which he convincingly displays his chops. The senior Freeman pulls no punches in his two originals, though it is his passionate interpretation of the standard "I Can't Get Started" that leaves the most lasting impression.
Fathers & Sons (2) – Fathers & Sons
Fathers & Sons (2) - Fathers & Sons album cover
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Label: CBS/Sony – 25AP 2343
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Japan
Released: 1982
Genre: Jazz
Style:
A1 Twelve's It
Written-By – E. Marsalis*
4:20
A2 A Joy Forever
Written-By – E. Marsalis*
3:58
A3 Nostalgic Impressions
Written-By – E. Marsalis*
4:58
A4 Futuristic
Written-By – E. Marsalis*
4:08
A5 Lush Life
Written-By – B. Strayhorn*
4:21
B1 Jug Ain't Gone
Written-By – V. Freeman*
3:50
B2 Time Marches On
Written-By – V. Freeman*
5:35
B3 I Can't Get Started
Written-By – V. Duke*
4:12
B4 Tribute To Our Fathers
Written-By – C. Freeman*
7:40
Manufactured By – CBS/Sony Inc.
Bass [Acoustic] – Cecil McBee (tracks: B1 to B4), Charles Fambrough (tracks: A1 to A5)
Design – Allen Weinberg
Drums – Jack DeJohnette (tracks: B1 to B4), James Black (tracks: A1 to A5)
Engineer [Assistant] – Nancy Byers, Ted Brosnan
Engineer, Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Tim Geelan
Executive-Producer – George Butler
Liner Notes – Gary Giddins
Mastered By – Joe Gastwirt, Joe Gastwirt
Photography By – William Coupon
Piano – Ellis Marsalis (tracks: A1 to A5), Kenny Barron (tracks: B1 to B4)
Producer – Stanley Crouch
Tenor Saxophone – Branford Marsalis (tracks: A1 to A5), Chico Freeman (tracks: B1 to B4), Von Freeman (tracks: B1 to B4)
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis (tracks: A1 to A5)
Originally included an OBI strip and Lyric Insert.
GOLDMINE GRADING
MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect.
NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly.
VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors.
VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.
GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.
POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.